Jasmine Chen Reviews: Good Earth

Book Review on Good Earth
Conflict
In Good Earth, written by Pearl S. Buck, there was more than one main conflict, one of which was surviving through the harsh drought. The drought brought horrific and morbid scenes, such as people dying of hunger and from being eaten by others due to lack of food. O-lan, wife of the main character Wang Lung, gave birth to a baby daughter during the drought. The baby suffered from malnutrition and was emaciated, yet the baby still managed to survive, thought suffering from mental retardation. The conflicts in the story were compelling and grabbed one's attention, making the story a definite page-turner.

Character Analysis
The main character, Wang Lung, is a poor farmer who desired money, craved for social status, and took pride in his sons. “It was this word ‘money’ which suddenly brought to Wang Lung’s mind a piercing clarity” (Buck 136-137). Wang Lung loved money, for money brought him happiness. Though he started out as a poor farmer, he later gradually turned rich due to his great desire for money. Wang Lung often saved the money he made from his harvests.
Also, Wang Lung craved for social status. After much savings, Wang Lung turned rich, living in luxury and prosperity. He “bought a silver ring washed with gold and he smoothed [his hair] with fragrant foreign oil from a small bottle for which he had paid a whole piece of silver.” (Buck 184) Wang Lung attempted to heighten his social status by dressing like a rich person.
Last, Wang Lung takes pride in his sons. For instance, Wang Lung saw “his eldest son reading aloud the letter upon a paper and putting the brush and ink to paper and writing that which may be read by others” (Buck 215). He felt proud that the eldest son was able to read and write. During pre-revolutionary China, few people were able to read and write; literally the rich or prominent people were the priority.
The character, Wang Lung, was believable, because he had human qualities, such as being liking money, craving for social status, and taking pride.

Audience
I recommend this to people who enjoy history especially on pre-revolutionary China. Overall, I liked the book, because I was able to visualize the life of pre-revolutionary China.